Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1887-12-01
The Monument Of Gen. John c. Breck-
enridge.


enrfdge.
Wednesday, the 10th ult, at Lexington,
Ky, was dedicated fine bronze statue of
Gen. John c. Breckenridge The part Ia
ken by Gen. Breckenridge in the political
aud military history Of the country was a
brilliant one, and deserves the memorial
the people Of Kentucky have erected. Born
near Lexington, in 1921, he served in the
Mexican war as major Of a regiment of vol
unteers, entered Congress in 1853, was elect
ed Vice President of the United States in
1856, and was nominated for the presidency
in 1860 by the Democratic national conven-
tion Mr.. Lincoln having been chosen
President, Mr. Breckenridge was elected
United States Senator. Resigning this Of
flee soon after, he went South and entered
the army, and rose to the rank Of major
general. His most notable achievement
was the defeat of Sgel at New Market, Va,
in May 1864. In January, 1865, be was
appointed Secretary of War of the Confed-
crate States After Lees surrender he
spent some years in Europe. after which he
returned to Lexington, KY, where he died
in May, 1875.
The address of Gen. Joseph s Black
burn was an eloquent sketch of the life
and public career of Mr.. Breckenridge.
Referring to the resolution expelling Breck
enridge from the United States Senate,
from which he had previously resigned,
Mr. Blackburn said In all the history of
this government the legislative authority
has never, save in this one instance, usurp-
ed and exercised the odious power carried
in bill of attainder. The eruptons Of
that war period had flung into the Federal
Senate member who, moved by the same
greed Of notoriety that possessed the aspir-
ing youth who fired the EphesiaD dome, of
fered a resolution, which the Senate in its
mad frenzy adopted, declaring that Breck-
enridge, the traitor, be expelled from that
chamber. No trial was had, no confession
received, no testimony taken. Here to-day,
in the presence of the world, in the sight
of Almighty God. Kentucky files her inn
perishable answer to that libel. States do
not build monuments to traitors. Brecken-
ridge had already, by his own act, ceased
to be Senator. The decree passed in open
defiance of the constitution was but bru-
tim fulmen, serving only to evidence the
malignity of its suthors."
Mr.. Blackburn's address concluded as
follows: "Tried everywhere-the stormy
House of Representatives as presiding Of
ficer of the most august deliberatiye body
upon the earth in debate, as member OF
the Senate; in the field, as a commander OF
division or corps, or as the chief war officer
of the government struggling for its exist
ence; anywhere, everywhere, he loomed up
above those by whom he was surrounded
a. one who was born to rule No success
eated him, no disaster dsheariened. A
country united not only in name, but IN
purpose, in hope and in destiny, will cher
ish the memory of all its worthy sons, and
teach posterity TO hold 1t az precious ie-
gacy. Tis true that no proud pantheon
stood with eager, opening gates to receive
his honored ashes, but they rest in the soil
that nourished bis birth, whilst his fame
reposes in an ever enduring pantheon-the
hearts of his people. Here, within the
limits Of your beautiful city, rise toward
Heaven the monument Of Clay and the
statue Of Breckenridge. Well may you
guard these treasures Around them clus-
ter half century Of glory. Westminster
Abbey holds no more precious dust. Earth
never gave sepulchre to grander men. Re-
calling the past, and measuring her respon-
sibilities TO the future, in the presence Of
her sons and her daughters, in the sight Of
the Omnipotent God, Kentucky dedicates
this monument to the broad Drained, great
hearted. idol son. Orator, statesman, sol
dier, patriot, to thy immortal name aud to
thy deathless fame Kentucky consecrates
this statue, and tenders it to posterity as
proof of the love she bore thee"